Job Description
Curator of Costume and Textiles and Head of Department At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
The Philadelphia Art Museum seeks an inspired and forward-thinking curator to lead its distinguished department of Costume and Textiles—an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of one of the most significant collections in the country. At a pivotal moment of renewed institutional commitment to the field, the museum invites a dynamic leader to bring vision, creativity, and scholarly depth to a department poised for transformative growth.
Reporting to the Chief Curator, the successful candidate will craft and implement the department’s program, shaping acquisitions, exhibitions, and publications that highlight the relevance of fashion and textiles within historical and contemporary contexts. As the head of the department, they will have the opportunity to build their team with support for new hires. The curator also will collaborate with colleagues from departments across the institution and with partners locally, nationally, and internationally to extend the reach, impact, and relevance of the museum’s collection. In doing so, they will play a vital role in advancing the museum’s broader goals around community engagement, education, and artistic excellence.
Specifically, you will: - Provide curatorial leadership in the planning, development, and interpretation of the costume and textile collection.
- Manage all aspects of collection activity, including research, installations, exhibitions, publications, acquisitions, deaccessioning, and loans.
- Consult and collaborate with other museum departments — such as Conservation, Registration, Installation & Packing, Exhibition Planning, among others—to ensure the preservation and presentation of the collection.
- Work in partnership with the Learning and Engagement teams to develop educational content, including gallery labels and related materials.
- Help maintain and enhance the museum’s files, database, and digital records of the costume and textile collections.
- Participate in public-facing programs such as lectures, gallery talks, tours, and guide training.
- Direct and support original research on the collection and emerging areas of interest in the field.
- Contribute essays and catalogue entries to museum and external publications, supporting the museum’s commitment to research and scholarship.
- Promote collaboration within and between curatorial departments, ensuring a cooperative and integrated approach to museum projects.
- Engage with academic scholars, designers, educators, conservators, and other museum professionals to support the museum’s research and programming.
- Represent the museum in various professional organizations.
- Work with the Advancement Department to secure funding, cultivate donor relationships, and support collection growth and programming.
- Supervise department staff members, including curators, fellows, and assistants fostering professional development and a collaborative team environment.
- Work closely with Conservation staff on the care, storage, and display of the collection.
- Develop and manage the department’s annual operating budget.
- Lead preparations for the biannual Curatorial Committee meetings, including reports and presentations.
- Serve on internal committees as assigned.
- Perform related duties as required.
Your background and experience include: - Advanced degree in art history, fashion history, textile studies, or a related field.
- Extensive experience (typically 10 or more years) in a curatorial role, with demonstrated leadership in the field of costume and textiles.
- Proven record of scholarship, including exhibitions and publications.
- Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills are essential.
- Experience supervising and mentoring staff.
- Familiarity with the market for fashion and textiles.
- Ability to cultivate donors and secure funding for department initiatives.
- Active involvement in professional networks and scholarly communities.
Position and Compensation Details - The salary for this position is $159,000.
- This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
- This position reports to Chief Curator
- Physical requirements:
- Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
- Must be able to handle boxes, hang costumes, use hands, bend, possess good eye-hand coordination, climb platform/rolling ladders (not afraid of heights)
- Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
Institutional Requirements - Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
- Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
- Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
- Maintains confidentiality.
- Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.
Application Timeline Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.
What We Offer Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:
- Discounted guest tickets for admission
- Discounts on gift memberships
- Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
- Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores
We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
- Health savings or flexible spending account program
- Retirement savings program with museum match
- Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays
*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Work at office, Flexible hours,